Wales' Premiership stars cleared to face Wallabies

Wales will have the likes of George North and Jamie Roberts available for the Test against Australia next month after players based in England were given the green light to represent their country.

The hosts could have been without some of their star turns for the clash with the Wallabies at the Principality Stadium on November 5, as the match falls outside the Test window.

Premiership Rugby on Monday confirmed the rule will be relaxed on this occasion, providing a huge tonic for Wales, who are being coached by Rob Howley in the absence of Warren Gatland. The regular head coach is on a sabbatical to prepare the British and Irish Lions for their tour of New Zealand next year.

Tomas Francis, Ross Moriarty and Luke Charteris will now be in contention along with key men North and Roberts.

"Premiership Rugby can confirm that its clubs have agreed to a one-off variance of their policy over the release of players for Test matches outside of the World Rugby agreed 'Test window'," a Premiership Rugby spokesman said.

"As a gesture of flexibility the Premiership Rugby clubs will release their players outside the approved Test window for matches on the weekend of 4-6 November.

"This comes as we continue deliberations on a new post-2019 global season structure to find an appropriate balance between club and international rugby,

"We are showing flexibility to help a number of unions who have decided to play on this particular weekend but we must stress this is a one-off variation to the allowed window while discussions continue."